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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Move Over Martha: Penny Makes A Wreath

Penny's past jobs include...

A. Assistant dolphin trainer

B. Turfgrass researcher

C. Biology teacher

D. Lacrosse coach

E. Florist

F. All of the above

Correct answer: F!

I actually went to floral design school and worked as a florist before I started my own business. After 2 hand surgeries, I hung up my floral shears, but I still like to play around with flowers whenever I can.

Here's something I whipped up using only materials from my own garden. Plant materials include hydrangeas, cherry branches, ornamental grasses, ninebark, and inkberry.

Here's what I did...

1. Soak Oasis foam in water.

2. Collect plants from your garden and condition them. Just give them a fresh cut and plop them in water to hydrate.

3. Slice up the Oasis into thin pieces and place on top of a willow branch wreath. (You can get these at craft shops).

4. Tape foam onto wreath base. If you have green floral tape, that's the best. I used scotch tape.

5. Start by adding foliage and berries onto base. Try to use different colors, textures and sizes. I used inkberry branches, ninebark, berries from my cherry tree, and the seed heads from fountain grass.

6. Add the flowers. I used white and blue hydrangeas. They can be picked apart into smaller clusters. Be sure to fresh cut the bottoms so they are easy to fit into the Oasis foam.

7. I attached a piece of raffia at the top to hang the wreath. Spritz with a water-mister to keep it fresh.

Very beautiful! I always wanted to work in a florist shop, ended up in a greenhouse instead for a few months. I just don't have any talent when it comes to A-symmetry. You must give us some tips for Christmas wreaths this year!